UPDATE: Rauner Objects to Medical Marijuana Licensing Procedure; City Decides Not to Revisit Rezoning for Marijuana Facility

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Published on November 13 2014 7:27 am
Last Updated on November 13 2014 1:17 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Illinois Governor-elect Bruce Rauner is voicing objection to the process of siting medical marijuana production plants in the state.

Rauner said he wouldn't have signed the medical marijuana bill, and said the siting process is corrupt. One reason for his objections is that the identities of those seeking licenses is being kept secret.

One of the bill's sponsors, St. Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie, said keeping the identities secret is part of the effort to keep favoritism and "who you know" out of the selection process. 

Rauner said he thinks the process is "so corrupt, it would make Rod Blagojevich blush."

Area St. Sen. Kyle McCarter earlier voiced his opposition to the process, saying those who lobbied legislators to pass the medical marijuana legislation are among those now vying for one of the production permits. McCarter stated, "It may be legal, but is it moral?"

Meanwhile, the Effingham City Council has decided not to revisit the issue of rezoning land southwest of Effingham as a possible medical marijuana production facility. The agenda for Tuesday's meeting was released Thursday afternoon, and nothing is included on the agenda regarding the rezoning question.